El Niño alarm rings as monsoon forecast weakens; patchy rains, heat and inflation risks loom
TNN / May 29, 2026, 20:43 (IST)
India faces a turbulent weather season as a strengthening El Niño threatens deficient monsoon rainfall, impacting crops and water supplies. Experts warn of erratic rain patterns, with long dry spells and intense bursts, potentially devastating rain-fed agriculture. This climate shock, coupled with economic pressures, could lead to significant food inflation and strain household budgets.